Under Island
Multimedia
2004 - 06
In an alternative time of now the land speaks. Under Island is a story about the living land of Roosevelt Island.
The island gains sight through an illusionary fort turned gothic lighthouse on the Northern tip of the island built by a patient of the Octagon Insane Asylum. The island can now see as well as is seen. Sequestered off by Manhattan, gutted by progress, controlled for 99 years by a corporation, the sentient island revolts. Upon the co-option of its now wild southern tip a constant state of controversy it decides to leave the East River Estuary for the Hudson and travel northward along this Empire State¹s Route of progress. Turning West on the Erie Canal/Mohawk River it eventually finds itself in the shallow, deadened, water-spout-infested Lake Erie. And so continues the island to its destination.
The multi disciplinary project: Subliminal History of New York State, begins with Chapter 1/ Under Island. Working with Roosevelt Island Historian, Judy Berdy in 2004, I wanted to connect with and understand the very strangely energized place of Roosevelt Island. Weekly rehearsals combining research and brainstorming with three local boys and writer/musician Sxip Shirey, What emanated was this unbelievable story. Under Island is a chronicle of living land, breathing through us and the structures atop of it. Quarantined by Manhattan, it is gutted by progress, yet remains a tiny bit growing wild.
Island TimelineOctober 2004 - Performances and Installation a with Sxip Shirey, Matt Bua and Jesse Bercowetz PS 1/MOMA and Roosevelt Island.
November 2005 - Story written into Shape Note songs with Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg and performed at Contemporary Artists Center in North Adams MA.
December 2005 - Limited edition Silkscreened songbook created at Women's Studio Workshop with Under Island the CD , recorded in the Widow Jane Mine, Rosendale NY.
November 2006 - exhibition and performance in Special Reconnaissance at Gigantic ArtSpace.
Excerpt from Under Island Script
